My mother in law rocks

When it comes to in laws, I hit the jackpot. My mother in law Lynda is such a dear. She is always willing to spend time with me and to teach me new skills. 

This weekend she taught me to make jelly. We made rhubarb, raspberry, multi berry and raspberry rhubarb. 

Squeezing out the juice. 

Preparing the juice. 

Rhubarb. 

Jelly! 

Weekend adventures

This weekend was awesome! 

Thursday at work, I got to work on LT Smooth a slack key guitarist from Kona, HI. LT is a big Samoan dude. He liked my work so much he tipped me $100. He came back Friday for a 2nd massage and tipped me $50. So naturally we had to go to his show. He was so great. He even gave me a shout out during his performance. His music is beautiful and inspirational. He invited us to HI anytime. 

Saturday, we went to the annual Elders quorum shooting activity. I did skeet shooting for the first time and did really well. I also got to shoot my new pistol, a Springfield XD M 9mm. I did ok with that but will have to practice some more. 

Then Paul and I went to have sushi with the Johnsons. We took the motorcycle. 

Then we went to a movie and for a nice bike ride after. 

I love the life Paul and I have created together. I thank the Lord each day for my Paul and all of the other wonderful blessings in my life. I am truly blessed. 

My garden update

Poppies

Beautiful columbine. 

My peonies finally bloomed! 

Father's Day 2016

Today is Father's Day. I am so grateful for for my daddy Richard Clifford. He is the smartest man I know. He is kind, loving, hard working and lives the Lord. 

Next I want to honor my father in law, Bruce Kerr. He is genuine, kind, and loves his family fiercely. He raised 2 wonderful sons and I married one of them. 

And now to honor my Paul. He is the most loving, hard working man. He loves me with all of my crazy. I am grateful for how he supports me in all that I do and encourages me to be be great. He takes me on the greatest adventures and makes me laugh everyday. I love him with all of my heart. 

How my garden grows

The previous owner of our house was an amazing gardener. The first year we lived here I joked that our yard was like the garden of Eden. That plants and flowers would spontaneously grow. We have been blessed with such a beautiful yard with lush green grass, flowers, mature fruit trees, bushes and shrubs. Most of which I have no idea what they are. Here is a sampling of my beautiful garden.

Bleeding heart (white). 

Bleeding heart (pink). 

Lilac trees. 

These are Columbine I think.

Wild French poppies. 

Day lilies. 

I downloaded a really cool app called myGardenAnswers where if you take a picture of the flower it tries to identify it for you. So I'm trying to become more familiar with my garden. I'm grateful that there is beauty all around in my yard.

Memorial day weekend

I Memorial day weekend we decided to go camping with our friends the Johnson's. Taft and Carrie Johnson and their three children Abigail Parker and Charlie are our good friends here in Alaska. Paul and Taft have a lot in common, especially their love of the outdoors. They decided we would go up hatchers Pass to camp. The Johnsons took their trailer and Paul and I took our tent to camp in. They took their side-by-side and Paul took our Rubicon to go out exploring in. It was just a short weekend but it was wonderful and full of adventure. 

Here we see Taft and Paul discussing who knows what and the generator.

Myself, Parker, Carrie and Abbie having lunch. 

I love my Luna girl. 

Charlie Mae giving kisses. 

The Johnson crew out on the trail.

Abby and Harlie. 

The Johnsons are enjoying the sunshine.

I love my little family.

Miss Charlie taking a break sitting on the spare tire.

Parker and Abbie in the back of the Rubicon.

Harlie all tuckered out after a day of trail riding. 

That's some serious discussing.

I totally love these goofballs.

I asked Parker how much he loves his mommy and this was the face he gave me.

Carrie at the wheel of the side-by-side. What a beautiful day! 

Paul creating a perfect Smore.

I bet you can't tell what time it is when I took this picture. It was 9:52 PM and yes it does appear that it is maybe  7 o'clock. This is the Alaskan summer.

And then it rained it got chilly so Luna got to wear my hoodie.

Paul and Parker playing on the rocks.

Carrie and her lap dog. 

And then it was time to go home. Paul and heading home in the Chief. 

What great memories we made. We will make many more this summer I'm sure.